Lance Corporal Charles Tednee Blackman was born in 1895 to Emily Deshong and Thomas Blackman in the Childers area. Prior to enlistment, Lance Corporal Charles Blackman worked as a farm hand and labourer for Mr John Herbert Salter on his property in Biggenden.

Blackman was one of the earliest known Indigenous soldiers to enlist in the war effort, joining in August 1915. He was followed by his two older brothers, 3174 Private Thomas Blackman and 3173 Private Alfred John Blackman, who enlisted in 1916 and 1917 respectively. Unfortunately Private Alfred John Blackman died fighting on the Western Front in October 1917, while Lance Corporal Charles Blackman and Private Thomas Blackman both returned to Australia.

After his service ended in 1919, Charles Blackman returned to the Salter property in Biggenden, staying there until the mid-1920s. He then relocated to Feluga, working on Pedly's farm and moving around the region. By 1943, Charles Tednee Blackman had settled in the Tully area and on the 8 October 1943 changed his name to Charles Thomas Graham by deed poll.

Charles Tednee Blackman died at Mossman Hall Special Hospital, Charters Towers, queensland from the effect of pneumonia on August 12, 1966